Father doesn't always know best-this is no secret-but Berdel shows both the tragic and thepathetically comic chain of events that occurs when a Turkishpaterfamilias attempts to rectify his "family values."Ömer is the discontented husband of Hanim; he loves her, but shehas just delivered her fifth baby girl. Tradition, embodied in hisself-image, demands a son, and Ömer makes plans to take a secondwife. He engages in the practice known as berdel-exchanging his eldestdaughter for a new wife who, in his confused scheme, is sure to bear hima son. The film focuses on the effect of Ömer's decision on thisdaughter and his wives who, over time, form a strong bond. This is asensitive portrait of a proto-feminist undercurrent in village life. Butin a film of striking beauty and simplicity, director Yilmaz allows fora number of different attitudes (Ömer is challenged by some men,also) and no simple answers.